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Sometimes, I feel as if technology runs too much of our lives. So with that in mind, I’m trying to put my phone away whenever it’s time to eat. I successfully did this during breakfast yesterday, but missed 89 texts – 40 of which were related to Game of Thrones content. No spoilers.

The Bears have just two picks in what might be considered “the meat of this draft” … so they will have to work with what they have for the time being. Unless, of course, the team decides to get creative and trade down. All things considered, it wouldn’t be the worst idea. If the Bears have several targets in mind and can add picks that would allow them to scoop up a collection of players who could best round out the roster, then that line of thinking might be the team’s best path to a successful draft.

In the end, this is good news because the Bears are going to need to find someone in this area to replace Jordan Howard – who Tarik Cohen already misses as a backfield partner:

Tarik Cohen says he’ll miss Jordan Howard and that there will be plenty jerseys exchanged when the Bears play in Philadelphia this season.

The Bears’ backfield is in good shape with Cohen and Davis, but there is still something missing in that group. It won’t take much to find that player and it’s not as if there aren’t a variety of backs to choose from. But it comes down to choosing the right guy. GM Ryan Pace hit with Howard and Cohen, but Jeremy Langford was a flash-in-the-pan during his brief stint as Matt Forte’s replacement. Bears fans have reason to trust Pace, but there is still a certain amount of risk in replacing Howard with a rookie back.

If Miles Sanders is truly some sort of Alvin Kamara-Tarik Cohen hybrid, I don’t think he’ll be available when the Bears go on the clock with pick No. 87. And yet, he has been mocked to the Bears throughout the process, which is allowing us to hold out hope.

Vic Fangio still holds Roquan Smith in the highest:

“I don’t think either one is as good as Roquan at this stage in their career. Roquan is a special player and a special individual. It’s going to take a while to see that in those other two guys.” – Vic Fangio at the League Meetings on Devin White and Devin Bush

Vic Fangio might be gone, but he won’t be forgotten. Not just as a game-caller or defensive schemer, but also as someone whose eye for defensive talent and honestly when discussing said talent. Fangio was a breath of fresh air whenever he talked about his players. Because even when he was giving them tough love, it felt like it was coming from the right place. That Fangio still has love for Smith says a lot about what one of football’s top defensive minds thinks about a linebacker with star potential.

Chris Roling (Bleacher Report) re-drafts 2018’s first round and still has the Bears taking a stud middle linebacker. But instead of Smith, the Bears take South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard as their re-draft selection. Leonard was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Pro as he collected a whopping 163 tackles (111 solo!), 12 tackles-for-loss, four forced fumbles (two recoveries), 7 sacks, and two interceptions. How that guy didn’t make the Pro Bowl last year is beyond me. And yet, I’m comfortable with Smith (who had a fairly strong year with 121 tackles, 8 tackles-for-loss, 5 sacks, and an interception) in the middle of the Bears’ defense.

The Bears are planning to donate $100,000 to 10 different charities nominated by fans this season. It’s a noble cause to honor the franchise’s 100th season. I’m looking forward to seeing what charities are selected.

Reading about the ugliness Carl Edwards Jr. and other minority baseball players deal with was tough to stomach, but I think it’s something we should all take some time and read because perspective is good:

What minority baseball players STILL face is such a stain on this game. This story can't be shared enough: https://t.co/tqvdJ3Pktc

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